Program provides direct or near-direct pricing across brands to co-op members
Deerfield, IL and Indianapolis, IN, August 28, 2015 — Essendant, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESND) and Independent Stationers (IS) jointly announced today that they have renewed the RDC agreement between their organizations.
The RDC program was originally launched by Independent Stationers in 2004, and Essendant (formerly known as United Stationers) has been the exclusive provider under the program since 2009. The RDC program adds value to IS members by providing direct or near-direct pricing while allowing members to combine their needs into one order assortment across all program products and brands. It fully leverages Essendant’s extensive nationwide network, logistics excellence and inventory depth and breadth. Because the program offers competitive pricing with lower item minimums than buying each item directly from manufacturers, it allows dealers to be “capital smart” – a concept introduced by Essendant in their “Seven Moves to Win” for resellers.
“Independent Stationers’ members are leaders in the market, and we are confident that the RDC program together with Essendant’s support positions our members to thrive in the face of a very challenging business environment,” stated Mike Gentile, President and CEO of Independent Stationers.
“Independent resellers of business essentials remain our core business, and this agreement supports our strategy to strengthen that core,” said Tim Connolly, Chief Operating Officer of Essendant. “Our RDC program agreement extends Essendant’s strategic relationship with Independent Stationers and reaffirms our commitment to the Independent Dealer Channel. We look forward to working with Independent Stationers and their members to grow our businesses together.”
About Independent Stationers
Founded in 1977, Independent Stationers is a leading global organization providing sales, marketing support and purchasing power for the community based independent office products dealer. The organization’s members are located throughout the U.S. and in 5 foreign countries. Collectively, Independent Stationers members produce close to $4 billion in end-user sales. For more information, please contact Cora Lienemann at Independent Stationers’ headquarters (Phone: 317-579-1111; e-mail: cora@independentstationers.coop) or visit the Independent Stationers’ web site at www.independentstationers.coop.
About Essendant
Essendant is a leading supplier of workplace essentials, with 2014 net sales of $5.3 billion. The Company stocks a broad assortment of over 160,000 items, including technology products, traditional office products, janitorial and breakroom supplies, office furniture, industrial supplies, and automotive aftermarket tools. The Company’s network of 74 distribution centers enable the Company to ship most products overnight to more than ninety percent of the U.S. and major cities in Mexico and Canada. For more information, visit essendant.com.
